Cleat fastening means



Nov. 15, 1932. -r. M. KIMES CLEAT FASTENING MEANS Filed June 18, 1952 Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES 'rnomns M. xmns, or MERNA, NEBRASKA CLEA'I FASTENING MEANS Application filed June 18, 1932. 'Serial Nq. 618,069.

This invention relates to stapling means and more particularly to stapling means adapted for use in securing ribs or the like to a flexible member.

An object of this invention is to provide an exceedingly simple securing means for securing slats or ribs transversely of the length of a flexible belt such as is used in cultivating machines or the like, the securing means being such as to not only limit the possibility of splitting the slats or ribs but also to hold the canvas or belt relative to the slats or ribs so as not to tear the belt. 7

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a shield or hood which is adapted to engage about the surface of the rib, the shield or hood being engaged by a stapling means extending through the canvas or belt so that the rib can be easily secured to the belt.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which is so constructed that it will not require the use of riveting tools or the like in the securing of the staple to the canvas or belt and about the rib.

The above and various other objects and advantages of this invention will in part be described and in part be understood from the following detailed description of the present preferred embodiment, the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawing where- Figure 1 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a flexible belt with a cleat or rib disposed transversely thereof having a device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of this invention mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view partly in detail taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the.

letter B indicates generally a belt or flexible member and the letter R indicates a rib extending transversely of the length of the can'- 0 vas or belt B and which is adapted to be engaged by members carried by a farm implement such as a harvesting machine or the like for movement of the belt overithe belt operating means. 1 4

In order to firmly'and'easily secure the belt B to the rib R, I have provided a-staple, generally designated as 10 which comprises a relatively flat body plate 11 which is provided at each end thereof with tangs 12. Ashield or U-shaped plate, generally designated as 14, is disposed. aboutrthe rib R and has a configuration such as to closely engage about the surface of the slat or rib R beneaththe belt B. This U-shaped shield or hood 14 is provided in the parallel legs thereof with slots 18, which slots are disposed intermediate the ends of the parallel legs of the U-shaped member 14. p

The material of the member 14 intermediate the slot 13 and the freeend of each leg is outwardly offset, as at 15, so that the tang 12 can be readily disposed intermediate the free leg 16 of the member 14 and the confronting face of'the slat or rib R. The end ofthe tang 12 is adapted to project through the slot 13. and this tang 12 is preferably of a length slightly greater than the length of the parallel leg 16 so that the end of the tang 12 will project beyond the bight of theU-shaped member 14. Inthis manner,

the projecting end portion of the tang 12 can be turned over as at 17 soas to firmly clamp the shield or hood 14 about the slat or rib R and to hold the staple lOagainst movement relative to the slat or rib R. In this manner,

the canvas or; belt B is firmly clamped on one face of the'slat or rib Rand this clamping means not only engages about the slat or rib so as to prevent splitting of this rib but the hood or shield 14 constitutes a means for engagement with the driving mechanism for the canvas or belt B, so that the slat or rib R will not bodily contact with the driving means and thereby unduly wear this rib.

In the use of this cleat or rib fastening means, the staple 10 is' initially formed with the tangs 12 straight. The cleat or rib 14 can then be disposed in the desired position transversely of the canvas or. belt B and the staple then placed in a position where the tangs can be readily driven through the material of the canvas or belt'B in the desired position. The tangs 12 will be positioned one on each side of the slat or rib or cleat R and the shield or hood 14 can then be placed on the rib with the tangs 12 disposed in the ofiset portions 15 and projecting through the slots 13.

The projecting ends of the tangs 12 can then be bent over with any desired implement or tool and this bending action will tighten the body 11 of the staple against the canvas or belt B and firmly hold the, slat or rib R against transverse movement relative to the canvas or belt B and due to the relatively wide body 11 of the staple, the staple will not unduly tear the material of the canvas or belt B.

This invention is an improvement over the construction disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 568,184, filed October 10, 1931, for improvements in staples.

It is, of course, understood that'various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is 1. As a new article of manufacture a staple having a tang at each end thereof and a U-shaped staple engaging member, said member having a portion of each leg ofiset outwardly and an aperture in each offset portion to receive the tangs, said tangs upon being bent reversely coacting with the staple engaging memherto'firmly'secure a pair of articles between the staple and the staple engaging member.

2. A means for fastening a cleat to a flexible belt comprising a staple including tangs at each end thereof adapted to project through the belt, a U-shaped cleat engaging member engaging about the cleat, said member having a portion of each leg offset outwardly and an aperture in each leg adjacent the junction of the leg with the bight of the member to receive the tangs of the staple, said tangs when engaged in the apertures being bent reversely and outwardly whereby to clamp the cleat against one face of the flexile member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature. THOMAS M. 

